Comparison of BitTorrent clients


The following is a general comparison of BitTorrent terms#Client|BitTorrent clients], which are computer programs designed for peer-to-peer file sharing using the BitTorrent protocol.
The BitTorrent protocol coordinates segmented file transfer among peers connected in a swarm. A BitTorrent client enables a user to exchange data as a peer in one or more swarms. Because BitTorrent is a peer-to-peer communications protocol that does not need a server, the BitTorrent definition of client differs from the conventional meaning expressed in the client–server model.
Bram Cohen, author of the BitTorrent protocol, made the first BitTorrent client, which he also called BitTorrent, and published it in July 2001.
Many BitTorrent programs are open-source software; others are freeware, adware or shareware. Some download managers, such as FlashGet and GetRight, are BitTorrent-ready. Opera 12, a web browser, can also transfer files via BitTorrent.
In 2013 Thunder Networking Technologies publicly revealed that some of their employees surreptitiously distributed a Trojan horse with certain releases of Xunlei, the company's BitTorrent-ready download manager. Xunlei is included in the comparison tables.

Libraries

; General
; Operating system support and programming language
BitTorrent libraryGNU/LinuxWindowsmacOSAPIProgramming language
libtorrent C++
MonoTorrentC#
rTorrent C++
BitTorrent libraryLinuxWindowsmacOSAPIProgramming language

; Supported features 1
BitTorrent libraryProtocol versionSuper-seedingTrackerUPnPNAT [Port Mapping Protocol]NAT traversalDHTPeer exchangeEncryptionUDP trackerLPDFast extensionsMagnet URIμTP
libtorrent 1, 2
MonoTorrent1, 2
rTorrent 1
BitTorrent libraryProtocol versionSuper-seedingTrackerUPnPNAT Port Mapping ProtocolNAT traversalDHTPeer exchangeEncryptionUDP trackerLPDFast extensionsMagnet URIμTP

; Supported features 2
BitTorrent libraryCacheWeb seedingWebTorrentBroadcatching PrioritizationSelective downloadsSOCKSRemote control via webEngine
libtorrent
MonoTorrent
rTorrent
BitTorrent libraryCacheWeb seedingWebTorrentBroadcatching PrioritizationSelective downloadsSOCKSRemote control via webEngine